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easy Egyptian red lentil soup recipe in a bowl

Easy Egyptian Red Lentil Soup (Shorbat Ads)

This easy Egyptian red lentil soup (Shorbat Ads) is a warm, comforting, and naturally vegan dish made with simple pantry ingredients. It’s packed with plant-based protein, comes together in one pot, and is ready in under 30 minutes. With its smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor from cumin, cardamom, and fresh lemon juice, this authentic Egyptian lentil soup is perfect for a quick and healthy meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Egyptian, Middle Eastern
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb red lentils - rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cup carrot - diced
  • 2 medium onion - finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 medium tomato - diced
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • Salt - to taste
  • ground black pepper - to taste
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp crushed red pepper - optional
  • 5 cup water - or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley - chopped (optional for garnish))

Method
 

Sauté the aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
    Cooking onions for the Egyptian red lentil soup
  3.  Stir in the garlic and carrot. Cook for another 2 minutes.
    Added minced garlic and carrots to the onions for the Egyptian red lentil soup
Add lentils and water/broth
  1. Add the rinsed red lentils and stir well.
  2. Add water or vegetable broth, tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and cumin. Stir well and bring the soup to a boil.
    Added water, tomatoes, and spices to the Egyptian red lentil soup
  3. Mix in ground cardamom, bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper.
    Added more spices to the red lentil soup
  4. Then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are soft.
    Simmering the red lentil soup
  5. Check occasionally and give the soup a stir as needed. If it is getting too thick, add a little bit more water or vegetable broth about ½ to 1 cup more.
    Stirring the creamy Egyptian red lentil soup
  6. Optional step - Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or leave slightly chunky for texture.
    thick and creamy Egyptian lentil soup texture
Serve Egyptian Red Lentil Soup
  1. Serve warm. Squeeze 1/2 fresh lemon into the bowl, adjust the seasoning if needed, and stir well. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley for garnishing right before serving.
    easy Egyptian red lentil soup recipe in a bowl

Video